Idomeneo

The end of the war, the return home and a fateful oath including human sacrifice. In his opera, premiered in 1781, the 24-year-old Mozart explores the troubled soul of the war-wounded Cretan king Idomeneo in a tragic conflict of responsibility between raison d’état and private interests with dramatic intensity and new, exciting orchestral colors. In his production, director Philipp Westerbarkei examines the relationship between war and humanity.

After more than ten years in the Trojan War, the Cretan king Idomeneo returns to his homeland. But even before he reaches his native coast
, he is caught in a heavy storm. In mortal fear, he begs Neptune to spare him and swears to sacrifice the first person he encounters on
land. The curse of fate: it is his own son Idamante!
Instead of finally being able to look forward to a time of peace, the king is faced with a fateful decision. …